• J-C Sleth, B Guillot, and N Kluger.
• Service d'anesthésie-réanimation, polyclinique Saint-Roch, 43, rue du Faubourg-Saint-Jaumes, 34967 Montpellier cedex 2, France. jean-christian.sleth@wanadoo.fr
• Ann Fr Anesth Reanim. 2010 May 1; 29 (5): 397-401.

AbstractTo determine neuraxial anesthesia practices in obstetric departments in Languedoc-Roussillon in parturient with large lumbar tattoo covering the puncture area. "A prospective anonymous survey was sent to anaesthesiologists" including a clinical case scenario with a tattooed woman. Questionnaire included items on neuraxial anaesthesia in various circumstances, reasons for the decision process, and "consensus management" or not "within the unit". Fifty-four anaesthesiologists answered (response rate: 57%). Fifty-seven percent would perform an epidural anaesthesia (EA) through the tattoo. Thirty-nine percent would not; among which two third only would propose an alternative for EA. Elective or emergency caesarean section would prompt most of the anaesthesiologists to perform a spinal anaesthesia, especially in parturients with Mallampati Class III (93%) versus Class I (70%) airway. Seventy percent of responders reported no consensual management in their unit. Our study illustrates this lack of consensus in obstetrical units and among anaesthesiologists along with a variable attitude linked with the obstetrical and anaesthesiological situation.Copyright 2010 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

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